Audiobooks can be one of the best sleep aids you’ll ever discover. We explain how to fall asleep with an audiobook so you can overcome insomnia.

How to fall asleep with an audiobook

Most people see audiobooks as an excellent way to enjoy literature. For example, having an Audible account unlocks a vast library of literary classics for you to consume.

What you may not know is that audiobooks can help you get a good night’s sleep.

Of course, there are plenty of bedtime stories available as audiobooks. But here, we look at some of the ways you can use audiobooks to achieve better sleep quality.

Tips for using audiobooks to fall asleep

Let’s assume this is your first time trying to use audiobooks as part of your bedtime routine. These handy tips will help you get a good snooze that leads to you feeling fresh and ready to take on the next day.

Find the right device for your needs

You can’t enjoy your favorite audiobook narrator lulling you into a deep sleep if you don’t have the right device for the job.

For some people, a smartphone combined with earphones gets the job done. However, many don’t feel comfortable having something in their ears when they’re trying to sleep. In these cases, connecting your smartphone to a Bluetooth speaker allows you to play an audiobook without discomfort.

If you want to go down the old-school road, you can try playing audiobooks on CDs. Unfortunately, a scratch on a CD can cause skips and strange noises that can distract sleepers.

Find the right book

You may see using audiobooks to fall asleep as a way to listen to some of the best books available. Maybe you want to listen to the latest Neil Gaiman or Lucy Mangan novel.

The problem here is that listening to a new book can distract you from sleeping. You might get wrapped up in the story, resulting in staying awake to hear what comes next.

When choosing an audiobook to use to fall asleep, select something you’re familiar with. For example, kids who love the Harry Potter series may find that these books are ideal because they can enjoy a story they already know for a little while before they drop off. Save the latest best sellers for when you’re able to actively listen to them while awake.

Avoid scary or suspenseful books

If you’re using audiobooks as a sleep aid, you don’t want to find yourself getting scared while you lay in bed. Stephen King may be the author of some of your favorite books, but his brand of horror isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Choose something that’s serene and relaxing. If it’s a book you can imagine relaxing with in a bookshop while you read the hard copy, it’s probably a good choice for helping you get to sleep.

Try self-help books

You have to take care when using self-help audiobooks for sleeping. Some books, such as the brilliant Sleep by Nick Littlehales, can lull you into a nice slumber. Other self-help books may be great for getting you motivated and ready to go, which isn’t the best feeling to have when you’re trying to sleep.

Still, a book that actively motivates you to sleep is a good choice. Some sleep-based books even include things like a sleep timer, allowing you to focus on following the book until you head off to the land of Nod.

Avoid books with sound effects

These days, so many of us are stressed out. You may have spent all day dealing with traffic and honking horns, office machines whirring and phones ringing. Then, you come home to screaming children or blaring televisions and all sorts of neighbor noise.

You don’t want the same from your audiobooks.

Books with sound effects may not help you get the best night’s rest. Imagine listening to the playback of a narrator’s nice, calm voice, only for that voice to get interrupted by explosions or weird noises. It may distract you right at the point when you were about to go to sleep.

Are audiobooks really effective for sleep?

You may ask yourself, “Can I really find my cure for insomnia with audiobooks?” When you’re having trouble sleeping, it can be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. With the amount of time it takes you to get to sleep, you might willing to try anything at this point.

The good news is that audiobooks are extremely effective in helping you sleep.

In 2014, The Sleep Council commissioned a survey in which it asked people about the noises that help them sleep. It found that many of the sounds you’d expect can help, such as white noise and the sounds of peaceful landscapes. However, it also discovered that audiobooks that describe actions are also effective.

For example, a book written in the first person allows the listener to visualize themselves in the story. The listener becomes entrenched in the experience, achieving an almost meditative effect as the story they visualize helps lull them to sleep.

This discovery led to Penguin Books commissioning its Penguin Sleep Tales range, which it designed alongside The Sleep Council. These books combine the sounds and storytelling required to tackle insomnia.

Get the best audiobooks for sleeping with Speechify

Now that you understand the power of audiobooks for helping you sleep, you’re left with a question.

Where can you find the right audiobooks for the job?

At Speechify Audiobooks, we have over 60,000 titles, all of which you can buy outright. That means our service has no subscription, allowing you to save money while building a collection of your favorite books. Better yet, our introductory offer lets you buy any book in our library for $1.

To learn more, visit Speechify Audiobooks today (or tonight) and immerse yourself in a brand-new auditory experience that will help you catch those Zs.

FAQ

What happens if you listen to audiobooks while sleeping?

Some people speculate that listening to audiobooks while sleeping allows you to learn while you’re unconscious. However, there’s little evidence to suggest that this is the case.

What are some benefits of listening to audiobooks?

The benefits of listening to audiobooks include having a new way to experience your favorite stories and having the ability to multitask while you read.

What are some of the best audiobooks?

It’s difficult to create a list of the best audiobooks due to the need to cater to different tastes. Still, the Harry Potter series as read by Stephen Fry or Jim Dale are among the best audiobook experiences.

How long does it take to fall asleep while listening to an audiobook?

It depends on several factors, including the book you choose and the rest of your bedtime routine. Some find they can fall asleep in a matter of minutes, whereas others like to enjoy some of the story they’re listening to before allowing it to lull them into slumber.